• Giulia Di Stefano, Andrea Di Lionardo, Silvia La Cesa, Giuseppe Di Pietro, Alessandra Fasolino, Eleonora Galosi, Caterina Leone, Giorgio Cruccu, Lucio Marinelli, Massimo Leandri, and Andrea Truini.
• Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
• Eur J Pain. 2020 May 1; 24 (5): 956-966.

BackgroundIn this neurophysiological study, we aimed at verifying the nociceptive selectivity of the new, micropatterned electrode (150IDE), recently designed to generate an electric field limited to the intraepidermal free nerve endings.MethodsUsing the new 150IDE, we recorded evoked potentials after stimulation of the face and hand dorsum in 22 healthy participants and in patients with exemplary conditions selectively affecting the nociceptive system. We also measured the peripheral conduction velocity at the upper arm and verified the nociceptive selectivity of 150IDE assessing the effect of a selective block of nociceptive nerve fibres of radial nerve with local anaesthetic infiltration. In healthy participants and in patients, we have also compared the 150IDE-evoked potentials with laser-evoked potentials.ResultsIn healthy participants, the 150IDE-evoked pinprick sensation and reproducible scalp potentials, with latency similar to laser-evoked potentials. The mean peripheral conduction velocity, estimated at the upper arm, was 12 m/s. The selective nociceptive fibre block of the radial nerve abolished the scalp potentials elicited by the 150IDE stimulation. In patients, the 150IDE-evoked potentials reliably detected the selective damage of the nociceptive system.ConclusionsOur neurophysiological study shows that this new 150IDE provides selective information on nociceptive system.Significance150IDE is a promising new tool for investigating nociceptive system in patients with neuropathic pain.© 2020 European Pain Federation - EFIC®.

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